University of Johannesburg Fees 2028: UJ Tuition Fee

University of Johannesburg Fees 2028: Complete Guide to Tuition, Registration, Accommodation and Application Costs

If you are planning to apply to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) for the 2028 academic year, understanding the cost of studying is just as important as checking admission requirements. Tuition is only one part of the total cost. Depending on your programme and circumstances, you may also need to budget for registration, the ICT levy, accommodation, study materials, equipment, practical charges and, for international students, an international levy. Continue to read more about University of Johannesburg Fees 2028

The most important point for 2028 applicants is that UJ has not yet published an official 2028 fee schedule. The university’s published fee information currently provides the latest confirmed figures for 2026, while its international-student information says that approved fees for a future academic year should be confirmed with the university. Therefore, the 2026 figures in this article should be used as a planning reference, not as the official UJ fees for 2028.

This guide explains how University of Johannesburg fees work, what students can expect to pay, how tuition differs between faculties and programmes, what additional costs to consider, and how to plan financially for a UJ application.

Applicants should see: University of Johannesburg Prospectus

University of Johannesburg Fees 2028: What Should Students Expect?

UJ does not charge one flat tuition fee to every student.

The amount you pay depends on factors such as:

• Your qualification
• Faculty or college
• Number and type of modules
• Whether modules involve laboratory or practical work
• Programme duration
• Whether you live in a UJ residence
• Whether you are a South African or international student
• Additional programme-specific charges
• Annual fee increases

UJ’s official fee booklet explains that annual student fees can vary according to the composition of a qualification. It also states that the university reserves the right to change fees without prior notice.

For this reason, anyone searching for “UJ fees 2028” should be careful with websites that publish a single amount and describe it as the cost of studying at UJ. There is no universal tuition price for all UJ students.

Has UJ Released the 2028 Fees?

Not yet, based on the latest official fee information available.

The University of Johannesburg’s current Student Finance page provides access to its 2026 Fee Increase Letter and 2026 Fee Booklet.

UJ’s international student financial information also explains that fees generally increase from year to year and directs prospective students to contact the university for approved fees for the relevant academic year.

That means prospective 2028 students should not treat 2026 or 2027 figures found online as confirmed 2028 prices.

A better approach is to use the latest official fee schedule to create a preliminary budget and then update the budget when UJ releases its 2028 fee booklet.

How Much Are University of Johannesburg Fees?

The latest published UJ fee booklet gives useful examples of annual undergraduate fee ranges.

For 2026, the university listed the following approximate annual ranges for formal undergraduate qualifications:

These are 2026 figures published by UJ and are not 2028 fees. The university specifically warns that fees may vary depending on the composition of the degree.

This table is useful for understanding the general scale of UJ tuition costs, but students should obtain a programme-specific quotation before making final financial arrangements.

UJ Tuition Fees Depend on Your Programme

See >> List of University of Johannesburg Courses

One of the biggest mistakes applicants make when researching university fees is assuming that all bachelor’s degrees cost the same.

At UJ, the cost can differ substantially between qualifications.

A programme with laboratory work, specialised equipment or practical training may have different costs from a programme based mainly on classroom or non-laboratory modules.

UJ’s fee information states that some programmes can also have levies associated with practical subjects. The university recommends obtaining complete information about such levies from the relevant department.

For example, UJ’s published programme pages identify individual qualifications and their faculties, while the Student Finance documentation provides broader fee ranges. This means applicants should use the specific qualification and curriculum to establish their likely costs rather than relying solely on a faculty-wide estimate.

Does UJ Charge an Application Fee?

According to UJ’s latest published 2026 fee booklet, the application fee is listed as “None.”

This is an important distinction:

Application fee: No fee listed in the 2026 UJ fee booklet.

Tuition fees: Payable after admission and registration according to the applicable qualification and fee schedule.

Students applying for 2028 should nevertheless verify the application conditions when the 2028 application cycle opens because university policies can change.

UJ’s undergraduate admissions page also warns applicants about scams involving people who promise admission or a study place in exchange for money. The university states that admissions are based on academic merit and advises applicants not to trust people offering admission for a fee.

UJ Registration Fee

Tuition is not the only university charge.

The 2026 UJ fee booklet lists a non-refundable registration fee of R650 and a non-refundable ICT levy of R500. The booklet says these amounts should be added annually to student fees.

Therefore, when planning your 2028 budget, do not calculate your expected cost using tuition alone.

The final 2028 registration fee and ICT levy should be confirmed from the official UJ fee schedule for that year.

UJ Minimum Payment Before Registration

Another important issue is the amount students may need to pay before registering.

For 2026, UJ listed a minimum initial tuition payment of R5,950. Students staying in university residence with a residence acceptance letter had a minimum payment of R9,850, according to UJ’s registration information.

The university’s 2026 fee-increase notice separately confirms the R5,950 upfront initial tuition payment and identifies a R3,900 upfront residence payment increase component, alongside the residence deposit.

These figures should not be presented as the 2028 registration payment. UJ may adjust them for future academic years.

UJ Residence Fees

If you intend to live in a UJ residence, your overall cost will be higher than tuition alone.

For 2026, UJ listed a refundable residence deposit of R1,220.

Residence charges themselves vary and should be confirmed using the official residence fee information applicable to your year and accommodation option.

When creating your 2028 budget, consider:

• Tuition
• Residence fees
• Residence deposit
• Registration fee
• ICT levy
• Food
• Transport
• Books and study materials
• Laptop or other equipment
• Clothing and personal expenses
• Programme-specific practical costs

Students living away from home should therefore avoid budgeting only for the published tuition amount.

Additional Equipment Costs at UJ

Some UJ programmes require students to purchase or provide specific equipment when they begin their studies.

The 2026 UJ fee booklet states that start-up equipment for first-time students ranged from R6,520 to R10,450, depending on the programme. It also notes that some programmes have additional practical-subject levies.

This is particularly relevant when comparing the cost of different programmes.

Two qualifications with similar tuition fees could have different total costs if one requires expensive equipment, practical materials or specialised training.

For 2028, students should check their faculty or department for the latest equipment requirements rather than assuming the 2026 range will remain unchanged.

UJ Fees for International Students

International students should budget differently from South African students because additional financial requirements may apply.

UJ’s international student financial information says that international students generally have to pay 40% of tuition fees upfront at registration, with 70% of tuition fees payable by 30 April and 100% by 31 July under the published payment structure.

An international levy also applies to many international students.

For 2026, UJ lists the following international levy amounts:

• SADC and other African countries: R2,090
• Other countries: R17,780
• Certain occasional or non-degree categories have different amounts.
• Refugees, asylum seekers, permanent residents and diplomats are listed as having no international levy in the applicable category.

These are 2026 amounts, and UJ says that international levies for subsequent academic years may increase.

International applicants should therefore wait for the applicable 2028 financial information before making final payment arrangements.

UJ Fees for Students from Ghana and Other African Countries

Students from Ghana and other African countries should pay particular attention to UJ’s international student requirements.

The university’s published information places SADC and other African countries in a different international levy category from students from other countries. For 2026, the applicable levy listed by UJ was R2,090 for the relevant full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate categories.

However, this is separate from tuition.

An international student should therefore calculate the total cost as:

Tuition + registration fee + ICT levy + international levy + accommodation + living expenses + other programme costs

The actual 2028 amounts should be confirmed directly with UJ.

Are UJ Fees Paid All at Once?

Not necessarily.

UJ provides payment arrangements that allow tuition fees to be paid according to specified deadlines. Its international student information currently describes a structure involving 40% at registration, 70% by 30 April and 100% by 31 July.

Students who cannot settle their fees immediately should also investigate the university’s available payment arrangements and funding options before registration.

UJ’s Student Finance information states that an Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD) process is available under specified conditions and that a minimum deposit of 50% of fees is required for the AOD process described on its current registration information page.

Because payment rules can change, students should always follow the instructions issued for their particular registration year.

Can NSFAS Pay UJ Fees?

Eligible South African students may be able to receive financial assistance through NSFAS, subject to the applicable funding rules.

UJ’s Student Finance information provides a dedicated NSFAS process and notes that fully funded students do not need to pay the normal minimum amount to register when the relevant funding requirements have been met.

However, students should not assume that submitting an NSFAS application automatically means that UJ fees have been settled.

Funding approval, registration and university financial records must be dealt with according to the applicable procedures.

UJ Bursaries and Financial Assistance

Students should investigate bursaries before registration rather than waiting until they have a financial problem.

UJ offers various funding and bursary opportunities. Its published international financial information, for example, describes merit bursaries for qualifying SADC students based on academic achievement.

The current information lists Orange Carpet bursary benefits linked to APS performance, including awards covering percentages of tuition fees for qualifying students. The published scheme includes 50%, 75% and 100% tuition coverage at specified APS levels, subject to the university’s terms and conditions.

The availability and conditions of bursaries can change, so applicants should check the relevant UJ funding information for the year in which they apply.

How to Budget for University of Johannesburg Fees in 2028

Because the official 2028 fee schedule is not yet available, the best approach is to create a flexible budget.

Start with the latest published UJ tuition range for your programme.

Then add:

1. Tuition
2. Registration fee
3. ICT levy
4. Accommodation, if applicable
5. Residence deposit, if applicable
6. Books and study materials
7. Laptop or required equipment
8. Programme-specific practical charges
9. International levy, where applicable
10. Food and living expenses
11. Transport
12. Emergency or unexpected academic expenses

Do not simply take a 2026 fee and multiply it by an assumed annual percentage and present the result as your 2028 UJ fee. That would be an estimate rather than an official figure.

Instead, use the latest published figures for financial planning and replace them with the official 2028 amounts once UJ publishes them.

Will UJ Fees Increase Before 2028?

There is a reasonable basis for expecting university fees to change between academic years, but the exact 2028 UJ increase cannot be known until the university announces it.

For 2026, UJ announced a 4.15% increase in tuition fees and a 5.7% increase in residence fees compared with the previous year.

UJ’s international student financial information also says that fees generally increase by between 5% and 10% per year. However, this should not be interpreted as a guaranteed annual increase or as an official forecast for 2028.

The safest financial strategy is to allow some room in your budget rather than planning around the lowest possible fee.

How to Check the Correct UJ Fee for Your Programme

The most reliable method is to start with the exact qualification you intend to study.

For example, UJ’s programme pages identify individual qualifications, their duration, faculty, campus and admission requirements. The university’s BCom in Information Management page, for example, identifies the qualification as a three-year undergraduate programme at Auckland Park Kingsway.

The Bachelor of Arts page similarly provides programme-specific information for its qualification.

Once you know your qualification, check:

• The latest UJ Student Fees booklet
• Your faculty’s information
• Programme-specific charges
• Registration requirements
• Residence fees, if applicable
• International student charges, if applicable

For a final figure, request or obtain the applicable UJ quotation because the university states that quotations depend on the approved curriculum and its prerequisites and co-requisites.

UJ Fees 2028: Important Advice for Applicants

If you are applying for 2028, keep the following points in mind:

1. Do not rely on unofficial fee figures

Use UJ’s own Student Finance information whenever possible.

2. Do not confuse application costs with tuition

The latest UJ fee booklet lists no application fee, but tuition and registration costs are separate.

3. Check the exact qualification

Different qualifications can have significantly different costs.

4. Budget for additional charges

Equipment, practical fees, ICT charges and registration can increase your total cost.

5. International students need a separate budget

International levies and upfront payment requirements can substantially affect the amount needed at registration.

6. Apply for funding early

Investigate NSFAS, bursaries and other funding opportunities before registration.

7. Wait for the official 2028 fee schedule

The final 2028 prices should come from UJ, not from estimates published by third-party websites.

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Johannesburg Fees 2028

How much are University of Johannesburg fees in 2028?

The official 2028 UJ fees have not yet been published in the latest information available. The most recent official fee booklet provides 2026 figures, which vary by faculty and programme.

How much are UJ tuition fees?

For 2026, UJ’s published undergraduate annual fee ranges included approximately R49,800–R61,520 for Humanities, R50,370–R57,850 for Law, R58,870–R72,780 for Engineering and the Built Environment, and R53,730–R81,550 for degrees in the College of Business and Economics. These are 2026 figures and should not be treated as 2028 fees.

Does UJ have an application fee?

The 2026 UJ fee booklet lists the application fee as none. Applicants should nevertheless confirm the policy when the 2028 application cycle opens.

How much is the UJ registration fee?

For 2026, UJ listed a non-refundable registration fee of R650 and an ICT levy of R500. The applicable 2028 amounts may differ.

How much should international students pay?

International students have additional financial requirements. UJ’s current information includes an international levy and an upfront tuition payment requirement. The exact amounts depend on the student’s category and the applicable academic year.

Are accommodation fees included in tuition?

No. Students should budget separately for residence or private accommodation and associated living costs.

Can UJ fees be paid in instalments?

UJ provides payment arrangements and deadlines. The exact arrangements depend on the student’s circumstances and applicable year. International students, for example, are currently given specific tuition payment milestones.

Final Guide to University of Johannesburg Fees for 2028

The University of Johannesburg fees for 2028 will depend on your qualification, curriculum, faculty, student category and whether you require accommodation or incur additional programme-related expenses.

At present, the best confirmed reference is UJ’s latest published fee information. For 2026, undergraduate annual fees ranged from the tens of thousands of rand to more than R100,000 for certain programmes and laboratory-based study. The university also listed a R650 registration fee, a R500 ICT levy and programme-dependent equipment and practical costs.

For 2028 applicants, these figures are useful for planning, but they should not be advertised as confirmed 2028 prices.

The most reliable way to determine your eventual cost is to identify your exact UJ qualification, consult the official fee booklet released for your year of study, check any faculty-specific charges and include accommodation and living expenses in your budget.

Prospective students should also remember that UJ’s official undergraduate information warns applicants about admission scams. Do not pay an individual who claims they can guarantee admission or sell you a place at UJ.